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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program: Project 07/2026: In vitro investigation of kinesin-8 “superpower” behavior

Topic Description: Cell division is one of the most fundamental processes of life. This process is remarkably complex and requires many nanoscale machines to work together with high precision. Among them are kinesin motor proteins that use chemical energy to move along and reorganize the cellular cytoskeleton. Understanding how these motors work is not only essential for basic biology but also relevant for diseases such as cancer. This project focuses on Kip3, a kinesin-8 motor protein in budding yeast, that shows surprising and unique “superpower” behavior under certain conditions. By combining single-molecule methods from physics, biology, and nanoscience, this project aims to reveal how kinesin-8 adapts its mechanical properties and how such regulation may contribute to cell division. The results will provide new interdisciplinary insights into the nanoscale machinery of life.

Faculty: Faculty of Science
Institute/Section/Subject: Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), Cellular Nanoscience

Supervising Professors: Prof. Dr. Erik Schäffer, PD Dr. Anita Jannasch

About the Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Erik Schäffer is head of the Cellular Nanoscience group at the Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen. He received his PhD / Dr. rer. nat. in Physics from the University of Konstanz. He completed a postdoctoral position at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden (2002–2006) under the supervision of Prof. Joe Howard. From 2007 to 2012, he was an Emmy-Noether group leader at the Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) at TU Dresden. His research combines physics and biology to investigate how molecular motors and the cytoskeleton function at the single-molecule level, utilizing advanced biophysical tools such as optical tweezers.

PD Dr. Anita Jannasch obtained her PhD /Dr. rer. nat. in Physics at TU Dresden in 2012. Since 2015, she has been Akademische Rätin in the Cellular Nanoscience group of Prof. Schäffer, and in 2025, she completed her habilitation (Privatdozentin). Her research focuses on the biophysics of motor proteins, cytoskeletal dynamics, and the development of advanced microscopy techniques.


Intended Degree: Dr. rer. nat.

Type of the PhD study: Full-time (complete doctoral studies at the University of Tübingen)

Requirements for the application:
Required Degrees and Qualifications: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Nanoscience, or a related field.
Background in experimental work and interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics and biology.
Experience with techniques such as microscopy, single-molecule methods, or protein biochemistry and purification is advantageous.

Language Requirements: TOEFL iBT ≥ 95 or IELTS ≥ 6.5 (as required by CSC)
Knowledge of German is not required.

Notes:



For further instructions on how to apply, more information on the program and contact details please see below.

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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program
The China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the University of Tübingen have established a PhD Program which supports Chinese nationals inside and outside of China wishing to carry out all or part of their PhD study in Tübingen.

Aims:

• providing high quality research training to qualified students from Chinese universities
• developing education and research collaborations between the University of Tübingen and Chinese universities and research institutions

Target group:
Excellent postgraduate and doctoral students from the People's Republic of China.

Funding line A - Full time fellowship:

• postgraduate students who want to carry out their complete doctoral studies at the University of Tübingen
• up to 48 months
• degree conferred by the University of Tübingen
• Annual living allowance as prescribed by the Chinese Government (which includes Overseas Student Health Cover)

Funding Line B - Part time fellowship (sandwich model):

• doctoral students who want to carry out their research and studies alternatively at their home universities and the University of Tübingen. They follow a schedule set in advance by both the Chinese supervisors and supervisors at the University of Tübingen
• 6-24 months in Tübingen
• degree conferred by the Chinese home university
• Annual living allowance as prescribed by the Chinese Government (which includes Overseas Student Health Cover) for 6-24 months

Funding for both Funding lines includes:

• Return airfare to Germany
• Visa application fees
• Support for the attendance of international conferences during the second and third year (up to 1000€ granted to successful applicants)

Benefits for both funding lines:

• Tuition waiver
• Option to take German language classes provided by the University of Tübingen during the first year
• Accommodation offered in Tübingen student dormitories depending on availability
• Opportunities to gain additional teaching and research experience as well as economic benefits from the University of Tübingen from the second year onward (depending on the ability of the applicant and the situation of the respective institute)

Application Process:

• Jan 15: Application deadline. Applications must be handed in through the online application system of the University of Tübingen
• by March 10: Successful applicants will be officially informed
• by March 31: Invited applicants have to register with the CSC according to the regulations of the CSC.
• by May 31: Final decisions about the allocation of scholarships will be made by the CSC
• by Oct 1: Program participants arrive in Tübingen
• Successful candidates must return to China upon completion of their studies.

How to Apply:
In order to apply you need to upload the following documents combined in 1 PDF

• Cover/Motivation letter
• CV
• Research proposal (3-5 pages)
• Academic transcripts* (if you have not yet completed your Master's studies, please submit a confirmation of studies and an up-to-date transcript of records)
• Proof of proficient English language skills (i.e. comprehension of a wide range of demanding, longer texts as well as fluent and spontaneous expression allowing a flexible and effective language use for social, academic and professional purposes.) - TOEFL iBT 95 or IELTS 6.5 or equivalent

*List of required Academic transcripts (including official translation into German or English for documents issued in Chinese)
1) Bachelor’s Degree Award Certificate / Bachelor Gradverleihungsurkunde (学士学位证书 xueshi xuewei zhengshu)
2) Bachelor's Degree Certificate/ Abschlusszeugnis (毕业证书 biye zhengshu) für das Bachelorstudium (本科 benke)
3) Transcript of the subjects and marks / Fächer- und Notenübersicht (成绩表 chengjibiao) for your Bachelor’s degree/ für das Bachelorstudium (本科 benke)
4) Master’s Degree Award Certificate / Master-Gradverleihungsurkunde (硕士学位证书 shuoshi xuewei zhengshu)
5) Master’s Degree Certificate/ Abschlusszeugnis für das Masterstudium (硕士研究生毕业证书 shuoshi yanjiusheng biye zhengshu)
6) Transcript of the subjects and marks for your Master’s Degree / Fächer- und Notenübersicht für das Masterstudium (硕士研究生成绩表 shuoshi yanjiusheng chengjibiao)

For questions please contact:
(Ms) Tetyana Tonkoshkur
Dezernat II – Forschung
Internationale Forschungskooperation
+49 7071 29-750005
international.research@uni-tuebingen.de
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